The Rim-World Legacy

Eli Pike #1

by Frank A. Javor

He was a stranger to Paldrogi. But someone had marked him for a patsy in an incredibly power game played for galactic stakes . a power game with a Machiavellian twist . a power game in which murder was only the opening gambit.

Genres: Science Fiction

144 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1967

About the author

Frank A. Javor was the pen-name of Francis Anthony Jaworski

Reviews

[Joe Santoro · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was actually more of a noir book than sci fi for the first 2/3... the main character gets sucked into a plot he doesn't understand, and we learn about it as he does.

Yes, it's on another planet with some bits of future tech, but, for the most part, it could have just as easily taken place in a sleepy town somewhere in the Midwest. Then, somewhat suddenly, the pieces get put together, and there's a (too short) but interesting discussion on the implications of cloning and Trek-style transporters. In the end, the main character was a little to smart for an unemployed photographer, and the ending was pretty unclear, but there's definitely some potential, and it makes me want to check and see if the author has other stuff that might be really good.

[Philip Athans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot. Imagine Raymond Chandler writing science fiction.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A curious attempt at a hardboiled SF novel from the late 60s, in which the down-on-his-luck protagonist is pulled unwittingly into a convoluted plot that takes him the entire novel to unravel why, as he dodges angry mobs and assassins while fencing words and strategems with the cops, thugs, a wily mastermind, and (of course) a woman seeking his help whose real loyalties remain dangerously uncertain throughout.

[Valerio Ragione · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought it in a second hand bookshop with absolutely no idea. I agree with those who say the novel's a noir/thriller rather than sci-fi for most of its length, but it still has its visionary elements.
Plus it goes a bit deep into that question everyone who's watched Star Trek must have had: Does teletransport kill people when it duplicates them? What is the moral implication?

That I surely did appreciate.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE RIM-WORLD LEGACY is a science fiction novel by F. A. Javor. It is the story of a treasure hunt involving an unclaimed inheritance whose heir will be the absolute ruler of the Galaxy. It is about a man who doesn't know that he holds the key to limitless control of the universe and it is about several murders to keep secrets. This story is a Science Fiction/Mystery and has many twists and turns but is mostly predictable and the ending is not very surprising. As with many novels written it the 1960's it is very short, coming in at 144 pages, so it is a quick read.

[Robert Writhe · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Never judge a book by its cover” is what they always say. I bought this old paperback a year or three ago at a horror-themed record store in La Mesa, California called Re-Animated Records (I love this shop). I selected it purely because I thought the old, pulp, sci-fi artwork on the cover looked cool. If I never read it, it would be a neat thing to have. The art portrays a strange, structure that almost appears to be a helmet, ghoulish figures in robes, a ribbed egg object, and surreal city on sickly, faded green horizon. All that with a title like “The Rim-World Legacy” gave the impression of an other-worldly, space fantasy tale with touches of horror and or surrealism. Besides the science fiction element, the book is further from anything gleaned from my impression.

This story is a crime mystery with sci-fi trappings. Sci-fi noir, maybe? Decent. I enjoyed the read, honestly. It actually has some very inspired concepts, particularly one (WARNING: SOMEWHAT SPOILER-Y) that shares parallels with The Prestige. And if that all sounds intriguing, maybe check it out. This is a perfect 3 out of 5 for me. A smooth read, intriguing, but I don’t think it’s something I’d rank high against other similar stories.

[Rabenos · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pub 1967.
Sci-fi sort-of mystery novel, except the mystery is not so much a whodunnit but more of a "what the fuck is happening in this book."

Protag gets unwittingly drawn into some convoluted three-sided heist/murder plot and sorta just... goes along with it.

Some interesting speculation on matter transfer and how it + cloning might affect the galaxy.

No character growth as per classical sci fi tradition.

Am I glad I read it? Eh. Would I read it again? No. Would I recommend it to someone? Probably not

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book for the murder, espionage mystery parts. The science of the science fiction part was also pretty good. The super secure DNA lock and hidden secret technology buried inside it were good sci-did elements added to this pretty standard but interesting mystery/noir story. The idea of Rim Worlds in a populated galaxy is a pretty good, if common, setting piece.

[St-Michel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, this is one of those times where I bought a book because the cover looked cool - plus, it was only 50 cents - and it went wrong. Now, I'd rather read campy sci-fi over "good" sci-fi any day of the week, but this just seemed like a pathetic attempt to try and pry its way into a genre in which it doesn't really belong. However, I can't totally discredit its hopefulness, for it did knock some interesting ideas around about matter transference, but overall, this is just a murder mystery with a twist *yawn*.

[SciFiOne · Rating 4 out of 5]

1981 grade B+